Sausage casing



Sept. 28 1926.

w. F. HENDERSON SAUSAGE CASING Filed April 7, i923 possess greath strength and considerablel elasticity, and which will have a textureV when wet, the film will become sible to pro for ma the hi hest viscosity which was attainable, and-I ave also found that th reduction of maximum film strength in 's way is important for the successful formation of thin, strong tubes for use as sausagecasings. WhenV the cellulose is pro erly treated, however, viscose therefrom; and the viscose is further treated for the production of cellulosel hydrate by a roper manipulation, it is posriiice tubes of reat stren h and considerable elasticity an having ot er desirable roperties. Tubes can thus be pro duced el) a thickness, forexample, of around 0.002 to 0.003 inch in thickness, when measured dry and which will, nevertheless,

such that soft and Zmushy. The thickness and texture of the casings depend largely upon the mechanical processes employed during the tube formation, while the strength, however,.

depends' primarily upon the chemical processes employed, as a ove point-ed out. Ac? cordin Iy, in the treatment of the cellulose g viscose, this treatment is carried out -as a minimum treatment to produce a viscose solution of high viscosity, so that the resulting casing will have a high film strength, and the viscose solution 1s then treated by mechanical methods of treatment for the production of the films vor tubes which are caused to revert to cellulose hydrate by a suitable treatment.

W'hen the viscose has been properly ripened, the viscose solution can be extruded without admixture of modifying materials, such as oil. The viscose may, however, have various modifying materials incorporated therewith with but little danger of saponi-4 f ing or decomposing the modifyin Vm'aterial. A small quantity of a suitab e vegetable oil or oils may be used and the viscose solution somewhat modified thereby, such oils altering to some extent the texture and elasticity of the casings and giving` to the film a desirable opalescence. The presence of an oil in the viscose may also faci itate itsextrusion by diminishin any tendency to stick to the metal arts, a though I have obtained very satis actory extrusion without the addition of such oils. A suitable amount of ve etable oil is, for example, 40 parts by weigit of cotton seed oil for each 100 parts of cellulose in a solution of viscose which contains 7,96 by weight o f cellulose. The film made from such a solution is softer and more elastic, as well as opalescent in appearance and very similar to the appearance of naturalgcasings.

The method of treating the viscose solution for the formation of seamless tubes therefrom will be further described in connection with the accompanying drawings ilin the production o the' grammatic manner,

A lustrating certain improved forms of apparatas .ada ted for the extrusion of the solutions an the treatment of the resulting tubes; but thespecific apparatus is intended as illustrative, andthe invention is not limited thereto, although I havelfound apparatus of thischaracter particularly advantageous for use. The invention Aincludes the novel apparatus for carrying out the extrusion, as we l as the improved method of extrusion.

In. the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 shows, 1n a somewhat conventional and diaand with parts in centra] vertical section, one form of extrusion apparatus of the invention adapted for the continuous formation of thin-walled tubes; Fig. 2 shows a mandrel adapted for use in the ap aratus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 shows a somew at modified .form of device for maintaining substantially constant and uniform pressure for the extrusion.

In the apparatus illustrated in Fi 1 the viscose is extruded through an annu ar ori- [ice upwardly through a chemical bath, which, with subsequent treatments, converts the viscose back into cellulose hydrate. The" parts of the apparatus which are subject to corrosion on exposure to viscose are censtructed of a suitable non-corrosive material, such as Monel metal, which is not aiected by the viscose or by the baths employed,1

The apparatus of Fi 1 comprises a supply container 1, in w ich operates a mechanically driven piston 2. The container is supplied with a relief 3 at its bottom, so that,'when the piston is raised, air may be sucked `in. The supply receptacle 1 communicates by means of a short pipe 4 with the extrusion receptacle 5, on top of which is a nozzle 6, which, with the core 7, forms an annular orifice through which the viscose is extruded. The bottom of the extrusion receptacle consists of a removable cap or member 8, through which the core member 7 is screwed so that it will extend up into the nozzle 6. The exact centering of the core is maintained by set screws located in the wall of the extrusion receptacle, which are indicated at 9.

It will be noted that the top of the core 7;' is Bush with the top of the nozzle 6, as illustrated in Fig. 1. This arrangement has been found advantageous in giving a smooth extrusion of the viscose.

Mounted on the extrusion member 5 is a container l1 having a water-tight joint 10 between itand the extrusion receptacle 5. This container serves to hold the' regenerating li uid into which the viscose tube is extrude The core 7 is hollow and has an inner drain tube 13 therein, extending upwardl to near the top of the container. Liquid, similar to that used in the regeneratin bath may be forced up around the drain tue 13 into the casing 12 as it is formed,

Leonesa B y thus keepingit inflated, and permitting'a.

constant renewal of the internal-liquid asl well as regulation of its level. ternal li uid overflows into the drainpipe 13, consi erable suction results unleseprevented, tending to draw one wall of the casin into the tube. This is overcome b ya suita le regulating valve 14, regulating the outflow through the overflow `drain pipe.

The level of liquid within the casing can be 'A 4regulated-by adjusting this Y 1 the viscose is supplied to the container 1 until it has the thnnessmention and is forced at a constant pressure through the annular extrusion nozzle into 'the regeneratin bath.' As the viscose tube is thus extrud it is drawn up through the liquid in the bath in which it is intlall hardened. This drawing can be accomplisiied, for example, by passing the casin over a rotating spool (not shown), situate above the bath, which is mechanically driven and the speed of which vis coordinatedv properly with the rate of4 extrusion.

The diameter of the casin depends not only upon the size ofthe ann ar orifice, but more particularl upon the lamount of liquid, used to distend t e casing. The thickness of the wall dependsprimarlly upon the rate of drawing and upon the degree o f inflation, as com ared with the rate of extrusion.

T e thickness of the wall of the casin is notdependent. upon the actual distanceetween the nozzle 6 and the core 7, buta cas' ing having a wall of only about .002 inch in thlclmess may be made by extruding the viscose from an' orice up to 11g-inch wide,

and by drawing the tube upward hin the in t e tube manner described, thus stretc The use of a fairly wide orilice has the advantage of practicall eliminating the diiiiculties due to accidente particles which would tend to clog up the opening. It is not necessary, however, to use an orifice as large as 11,- inch to obtain a casing of the minimum thickness desired, and the size of the oriii'ce allows of some variation. The drawing u of the casinginto and through the precipitating bath causes the preci itation to take place while the casing y1s u er tension, and this is very important in producing casings of very thin walls and of the ro r texture. After the tube has passed t rough the bath into which it is extruded, it is led into subsequent baths of suitable composition* As the in- .be su plied in con where further chemicaletreatment and washingt complete its. preparation. In order that so ing is linally limmersed. in a bath of dilute glycerin' or ,ethylene glycol, Vor other suitable emollient substance possessin hygroscopic properties. It is then ready or packing.

In order to minimze the occurrence of variations in diameter ofthe casing, a mandrel may advantageously be arranged above the core 7 of the extrusion nozzle and the .casing extruded' around this mandrel so that thev mandrel serves as a support for the casing, and the precipitating solution 'may 'unction therewith so that it wi flow aroun the mandrel. One form of mandrel which may be used in conjunction with an'extrusion nozzle similar to that of Fig. 1`is illustrated in Fig. 2. This mandrel, constructed of suitable material resistant to corrosion, such as Monel metal, is mounted on the modilied core member 7,

which with the' nozzle 6, forms an annularorifice similar to. that of Fig. 1, l The central drain pipe 13 of Fig. 2 is threaded at its upper end into the cylindrical secton 16, which ness of texture-may be retained, the casas a central passage 13" therein, forming an extension ofthe drain pipe 13. The

mandrel is made up of the cylindrical sec" vtion 16 anda conical section 17, the conical `sectionbeing screw threaded at its lower end to the core 7 A plurality of cylindricalsections 16 may be used, the top sectionterminating in a cap member 18.l The conical portion 17 is perforated so that the regenerating liquid wlll be distributed over the surface of the cone and comev in contact with the inner surface of the casing and flow upwardly with the casing and between it' and the cylindrical member 16. The exhausted v4internal liquid .overflows at the upper end of the ca drain tu described in connection 18 and is drained off through the 13, in a manner similar to'that with Fig. 1. A

.mandrel such as that illustrated prevents the collapse of the casing in case a small hole occurs inthe casing wall, while it also romotes the formation of a casing of uniorm diameter. When using the mandrel of Fig. 2 it 4will be understood that the tube can be extruded in the manner described in connection with Fi 1, with constant forcing of the viscose so ution through the annular orifice into the precipitating bath, and with constant sup ly of precipitating bath to the inside of t e tube around the mandrel as well as constant replen'shment of the precipitating bath surrounding the tube to maintain its precipitating properties.

It will be evident that the length of seamless tubing which can be made with the apparatus just described depends upon the calpacity of the supply receptacle l. When o y one such receptacle is used, it must sooner or later be refilled and the extrusion process interrupted. In order to make the process continuous, a plurality of supply receptacles of considera le size may be provided, so that, when one supply receptacle is nearl exhausted, a second may be started. A mo fied construction permitting the maintenance of constant pressure is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically in Fig. 3, in which two supply receptacles 21 and 22 of considerable slze are provided, each with a p1unger`23 and 24, and both being connectedv through pipes 25 and 26 with a series of outlet ipes 28, each leading to an extrusion mac xine similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. u

By closing the valve 1n the pipe 26 and opening the valve 29 in the pipe 25, the contents of the supply receptacle 21 can be forced to the extrusion machine or machines until the supply is nearly exhausted when thel receptacle 22 can be filled and started by o ening the valve 30 in the pipe 26. The va ve 29 can then `be closed and the supply receptacle 21 refilled. By alternating the two cylinders, the operation can be made continuous.

In the diagrammatic illustration' of Fig.

3 the istons are shown as having weights carrie at their upper ends for forcing the viscose solution to the extrusion orifice or orifices under a substantially constant pressure. Some slight variations may result due to small increases or decreases in friction in the piping leading to the extrusion machines, but b proper design of the apparatus this wil not be of importance in e'ectin the operation of the ap aratus. The weighted pistons serve in e-ifect t e same purpose as a" pump operating to maintain a constant pressure, and it will be evident that other suitable forcing means may be employed which will serve to maintain a regulated supply of the viscose solution to the extrusion orifices under a regulated pressure.

The bath used for the precipitation or regeneration of the viscose can vary somewhat in its composition and will differ somewhat also with the type of viscose used. In general, I have found it advantageous to use a concentrated solution of a sodium salt as the bath for coagulating the extruded viscose. With thoroughly ripe viscose, a nearly neutral salt solution can be used. If the viscose is under-ripe, a somewhat increased amoimt of acid is used, but gas bubbles tend to form under these conditions which weaken the film, and it is more advantageous, therefore, to use a thoroughly ripe viscose with a salt solution of lower acidity.

Inasmuch as the viscose is a sodium compound, it is advantageous to use an almost saturated solution of sodium sulfate asjthe bath and to maintain a slight acidity with safaris wid. The 'interaction of this wie with theY viscose produces sodium sulfate, which is the same salt as that of the bath.

Sulfur and hydrogen sultide are also power of the bath and also keeps the bath' clearer. It also Vprevents the formation of crystals of sodium sulfate, which otherwise tend to ferm when more sodium ions from the viscose) are added tothe already nearly saturated solution. The maintenance of an acidity of 1% sulfuric acid has been' found to be satisfactory. Such a solution precipitates the viscose and merely starts the regeneration. If the extruded tube remains in thebath for several minutes, regeneration will be complete; but this requires a bath of considerable depth, i. e., from 3 to 4 feet deep, and it is more convenient to complete the regeneration by subsequent treatment of the tubes in other baths. The walls of the tubes are, moreover, so thin and orous that they are readily penetrated by tie liquids, so t at it is unnecessary to apply the treating liquors to the inside of the tubes. The liquids penetrate sufficiently from the outside upon simple immersion to complete the regeneration. The subsequent baths through which the tubes are passed after leaving the precipitating bath may be of similar composition or of somewhat modified composition.

The new sausage casings of the present invention, obtainable in the manner described, are edible, thin-walled, seamless tubes of cellulose hydrate` with which modifying agents, such as ils, etc., may be incorporated, and which are suitable for use as containers for sausages and wieners. The casin sare of a minimum thickness, being less t an .003 inch in thickness when measured dry. They'T are edible from the standpoint of chemical composition as well as from a general dietetic standpoint. In fact, they satisfy all dietetic requirements, as Well as the important conditions imposed by thev packing industry.

Qwing to the very thin walls of the new casings, they may readily be masticated without difiicult and consumed with the meat, being per ectly edible and free from objection from chemical, medical and dietetic standpoints. Sausages made with the new casirigs are also free from objection from a culinary viewpoint. Wieners covered with the new thin-walled casings can be smoked, fried, boiled or cooked with l tubes therefrom.

satisfactory results by 4methods commonly used for such meats. The new casings are, moreover, porous and elastic, yet .they pos- Sessgreat strength and have a satisfactory and acce table appearance. The thinness of the wa of the casings is such'that they can'be linked, in the manufact-ure of the sausage therewith, whereas this is not possible with a thick walled casing. A

e present invention accordingly provides an improved sausage casing 1n the form of seamless tubes of cellulose hydrate ofsuch an extreme degree of thinness as to possess the desirable and valuable pro rties such as comestibilit linkability,', es ticity, porosity, etc., w ch are so desira e in sausage casings, and have sucient strength to make them commercially usable' to advantage in the meat products -industr The new sansa cas' are also ma e by a new metho in which viscose of superior properties is first produced, of high viscosity and b minimum chemical treatment, suitable fin use in producing the new thin-walled casin and the\ viscose is then treated for the osrmation of the seamless In the continuous method of formation of the thin-walled seamless tu ially designed ap aratus into a chemical ath, or a series of c emical baths which cause the viscose to be converted into cellulose hydrate. The extrusion of the tube is effected by forcing it upwardly into a precipitating bath and by simultaneously treating the interior and exterior surfaces of the extruded tube, while renewing the treating liquids so as to maintain the operation substantially continuous over considerable periods of time. In the upward extrusion of the viscose tube into Athe treating bath, the freshly extruded-'casf lng is sup orted during its upward passa e through the bath, either by means of tige re enerating liquid itselfor by means of a holow mandrel over which the casing slides and around which the regeneratin liquid circulates. In the formatlon of t e tube, the complete treatment may be carried out in a single bath. However, it is more advantageously carried out in a series of baths through which the tubing is passed and, when such a series of baths is used, the tubing is advantageously treated with the precipitating or regenerating liquid, both interiorly and exterior] in the lirst bath, while it may be treatedy only exteriorly in the successive baths, the thinness and porosity of the thin-walled tube permitting effective action of the successive baths from the outside.

The improved extrusion ap aratus of the invention, as will be noted fri-0m the forego' description, comprises an extrusion noilzle and an extrusion bath so arranged l considerable the specially prepared viscose is exp vtl'uded from a s that the special! prepared viscose 'can be extruded upwar y into the bath and the viscose converted intoceuuiose h if ing the drawing of the tube u wards under tension. This vupward extruslo'n is facilitated by the fact that the viscose `is lighter than the liquid used in the precipitating bath, lThe drawing of the casings upwardlyv from the `extrl'ision nozzlemakes it, possible t0 use an extrusion orifice much larger in width than the `intended thickness ,of the casing, and nevertheless to draw out the casing until it becomes suiieientlythin. The supporting of the casing durin extrusion, by the liquid or by the mandi-e or by a combination of both, 1s also advantageous; while this arrangement also enables both the internal 4and external re enerating liquids .to vhe changed and a sustantially continuous extrusion to be carried out 'over periods of time. The use of a mandrel which A suplports the casing internall together V.wit the internal exchange of e regenerating liquid, is articularly advantageous forcarrying out ttiu and for producing casings of formity.

Y I claim:

1. The improvement in the manufacture of sausage casings which comprises extruding a viscose solution of high viscosity upwardly i'nto a treating bath in the form of a thin-walled seamless tube of a diameter adapted to be used as a sausage c stretching the tube duringl its formation and interiorly supporting the tube during its extrusion. j

2. The improvement in the manufacture of sausage casings which comprises extruding a viscose-solution upwardly. into a treating bath in the form of a thin-walled seamless tube of the diameter of a sausage casing and subjec the extruded tube to a longitudinal stretc ing while in the hardening bath.

3. The improvement in the manufacture of sausage casings which comprises extru aviscose solution u wardly bath in the form o a thin-walled seamless tube of the diameter of a sausage Casin and withdrawin the extruded tube throng the treating bai at a speed greater than the speed of extrusion.

4. The improvement in the manufacture vof sausage casings which comprises extruding a viscose solution upwardly into a treating bath in the form of a thin-walled seamlesstube of the diameter of a sausage casing, withdrawing the extruded tube through the treating bath at a speed greater than the speed of extrusion and supporting the interior of the tube durin such extrusion.

5, The improvement 1n the manufacture of sausage casing which coli-Iprises extruding the viscose solution upwar y into a treating ate durinto a treating Hath in the form of a thin-walled seamless treating bath at a speed greater than the extube of the diameter of a sausage casing sup orting the interior of the tube during sued, extrusion by supplying treating solution to the interior of the-tube and withdrawin the extruded tube through the treating bat at a speed greater than the extrusion rsieed.

6. he improvement 1n the manufacture ,of sausage casings which comprises extrudinga viscose solution u wardly into a treating bath in the form o a thin-walled seamless tube of the diameter of a sausage casing sup rting the interionof thetube durn suc extrusion by causing the extruded tu e topass over a mandrel in the bath and supplying treating solution to the interior of the tube around the mandrel and withdrawing the extruded tube through the trusion speed. Y

7. A process for preparin sausage casings which e'omv rises upwardy extrudin a viscose solution -into a precipitating bat in the form of 'a' seamless tube in such manner that the precipitating bath acts interiorly and exteriorly of the tube, the precipitating bath on the inside of the tube bring at al? stages of the formation of the latter in th'` form of a. liquid sup orting column which substanti'allylls the lnterior of the tn be.

8. A thin-walled seamless tubular sausage casing of cellulose hydrate, said casing having a thickness of not more than .003 inch when measured dry.

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature.

WILLIAM FRANKLIN HENDERSON.

l tion to the interior o Vania, for an improvement in Hath in the form of a thin-walled seamless'" treating bath at a speed greater than the extube of the diameter of a sausage casing suporting the interior of the tube during suc extrusion by supplying treatin soluthe tube an withdrawin the extruded tube through the treating bat at a speed greater than the extrusion s eed. 6. he improvement in the manufacture .of sausage casings which comprises extruding a viscose solution u wardly into a treating bath in the form o a thin-walled seamless tube of the diameter of a sausage casing sup rting the interior of thetube durin suc extrusion by causin the extruded tu e topass over a mandre in the bath and supil ing treating solution to the interior o t e tube around the mandrel and withdrawing the extruded tube through the trusion speed.

7. A process for preparin sausage casings which comprises upward y extrudin a viscose solutlon into a precipitating bat in the form of a seamless tube in such manner that the precipitating bath acts interiorly and extei'lorly of the tube, the precipitating bath on the lnside of the tube bring at al stages of the formation of the latter in thi` form of a liquid sup orting column which substantially i'ills the interior of the tube.

8. A thin-walled seamless tubular sausage casing of cellulose hydrate, said casing having a thickness of not more than .003 inch when measured dry.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.'

WILLIAM FRANKLIN HENDERSON.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Itters Patent No. 1,601,686,

anted Se tember 28,

1926, upon the application of William Franklin Henderson, o Pittsburg Pennsylspecification requiringr correction as 0.0002, and line 17, for the misspelled Sausage., Casings,

follows: Page 2, line 15, for

word greath read great; and that the errors appear in the printed 0.002 read said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oiee.

. Signed and sealed this 2d day of November, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] WM. A. KINNAN, Acting Gommz'ssz'nmr of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,601,686, granted Se tember 28, 1926, upon the application of William Franklin Henderson, of Pittsburg Pennsylvania, for an improvement in Sausage Casings, erro-rs appear in the printed specification requiring,r correction as follows: Page Q, line 15, for 0002 read 0.0002, and line 17, for the misspelled Word greatli read great; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Pqtent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2d day of November, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] WM. A. KINNAN,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

